Renowned powerboat racer and designer Fabio Buzzi has been killed with two others while attempting to set a speed record in Venice last night (Tuesday 17 September), as Reuters reports.

Buzzi (76) had been attempting to set a new record from Monaco to Venice, at an average speed of 100kmph, when their vessel crashed into an artificial reef in the Venetian Lagoon.

A fourth man on board the powerboat survived the crash as he was thrown overboard, emergency services reported.

Italian businessman Buzzi was a familiar name on these shores, with one of his company's designs, Birretta Due, competing in the Venture Cup round-Ireland race.

This article was updated to correct the statement that Fabio Buzzi competed in the Venture Cup, when it was in fact one of his boat company's designs.